Native ants help to spread an invasive African grass in the Cerrado. (18th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rebolo, Isabele F.; Zirondi, Heloiza L.; Fidelis, Alessandra; Christianini, Alexander V.
• Is Part Of: Biotropica. Volume 54:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 6
• Page End: 11
• Publication Date: 2021-11-18
• Subjects: biological invasion -- biotic resistance -- Brachiaria -- disturbance -- savanna -- seed dispersal -- seed predation -- Urochloa; Biotic communities -- Tropics -- Periodicals; Applied ecology -- Tropics -- Periodicals; Biology -- Tropics -- Periodicals; 577.80913
• DOI: 10.1111/btp.13035
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0006-3606

Abstract

Abstract: Plant–animal interactions may facilitate biological invasions. The African grass Urochloa decumbens is an aggressive invader in the Cerrado. We demonstrate that native ants are dispersing the seeds to short distances, allowing the gradual spread of the invasive to sites without the need of great anthropogenic soil disturbances. Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material. Abstract : The African grass Urochloa decumbens is an aggressive invader in the Cerrado savanna. We demonstrate that native ants may help to spread the seeds of the invasive to spots uninvaded by Urochloa. Thanks to ants the invasive grass may succeed in invasion without the need of great anthropogenic disturbance. RESUMO: Interações planta‐animal podem facilitar invasões biológicas. A gramínea africana Urochloa decumbens é uma invasora agressiva no Cerrado Brasileiro. Nós demonstramos que formigas nativas estão dispersando as sementes a curtas distâncias, permitindo a expansão gradual da invasora para sítios sem a necessidade de grandes perturbações do solo pelo homem.